Sam Ryder tipped to push Eurovision favorites Ukraine “very far” ahead of the final

Britain’s Eurovision entrant, TikTok sensation Sam Ryder, is set to score the highest score for Britain in years, but Ukraine is still set to win

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Sam Ryder announced as UK Eurovision act for 2022

Ukraine is now the hot favorite to win the Eurovision Song Contest, with Britain’s entry also heavily tipped.

Kalush Orchestra is 2-1 with bookmakers ahead of the competition on May 14 in Turin, Italy.

If the rappers triumph, it would be a symbolic shunning of Russia for its invasion of their country.

The group has special permission as most men of military age cannot leave Ukraine.

But British entrant, TikTok sensation Sam Ryder, is closing the gap with his song Space Man, 13-1, the fourth most popular act behind Ukraine, hosts Italy and Sweden.

In the past 19 years we have finished last five times; with Jemini in 2003, Andy Abraham in 2008, Josh Dubovie in 2010, Michael Rice in 2019 and James Newman last year.

In fact, the UK hasn’t had a top 10 finish since 2009, when Jade Ewen’s It’s My Time finished fifth. Sam, 31, from Essex, who has 12million followers on TikTok and notable supports including Sia and Alicia Keys, previously said: “I don’t want the fear of getting into a certain seat at a table to stop me from making a Part of something I enjoy so much.”

Russia was banned from the competition after its attack on Ukraine.

Organizers at the European Broadcasting Union said allowing a Russian entry would “discredit” the competition.

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